With a chance to win a dual meet championship, the San Benito girls and boys track and field teams had a lot to aim for during Wednesday’s dual meet finale against Salinas in Hollister. And after a slow start, the Balers pulled off a pair of victories over their rival.
The boys team topped Salinas 78-58 for the victory, and the girls team finished an undefeated season with a 95-41 win.
As part of a senior day celebration and honoring former coach Allen Dunn, who passed away earlier this year, nerves got to the Balers early on.
Things calmed down for San Benito as the meet went on, as its long-distance team once again controlled the tempo for the Balers. Vanessa Estrada (5:13.76) and R.J. Collins (4:39.05) both took first during the one mile race.
During the 4×100 meter relay, confusion slowed down the girls team. A mix up in lanes, caused the top two varsity teams to be mixed, allowing Salinas to cross the finish line with a victory. For the boys a strong last 25 meters by Paris Edwards allowed San Benito to pull off the victory, finishing with a time of 46.15. As the night went on, both the Cowboys and Balers traded the lead for girls and boys.
Collins also took first in the 800 meters (2:04.21). Francisco Gutierrez was the only other boy to win two different events, taking first in the shot put (45-08) and the discus (135-06).
On the girls side, Savanna Wilson took first in the 100 meters (13.36) and the long jump (15-01.75). Maura Forbush took first in two events as well, winning the 400 meters (1:02.56) and the 300m hurdles (48.61). Estrada also won the 800 meters with a time of 2:24.65.
It was an important night for both teams, SBHS girls head coach Bob Rawles said.
“Today for us is a celebration of the seniors’ four years here,” he said. “It’s senior night. They decorated the locker room. We have a group of 20 seniors that are graduating from our program that we are in debt to for many championships and dual meet victories.”
For both teams it was a good way to prepare for the Monterey Bay League finals on March 3 at Gilroy High.
“We want to be able to do something there,” SBHS boys coach Iran White said. “We want to show the other teams some of the people to start looking out for next year.”
